OCR Text |
Show Blasting Effects On Bryce to Be Studied BRYCE CANYON The Office of Surface Mining and the National Park Service have contracted for seismic research in order to enable both offices to better determine blasting effects on Bryce Canyon should the Alton coal field be developed. Bob Benton, superintendent of Bryce Canyon National Park, announced that a finding of no significant "environmental" impact has been approved by Rocky Mountain Region on May 13, 1980. This document was a follow to the environmental assessment for seismic research at Bryce Canyon National Park. The seismic testing will be performed under contract by Engineers International, Inc., of Downers Grove, III for $79,559. The work commenced May 19 and is to conclude by Mid-June. It will involve detonations of explosives on lands administered by the Bureau of Land Mangement at varying distances from the National Park. The explosions will be made both on the surface and in drilled holes to depths approaching 80-feet. In addition a mechanical excitation device will be used in selected areas of the park to produce highly localized seismic reactions. Both the explosions and the excitation tests will be monitored with seismic sensors. Visual observations also will be made to establish any possible consequences to the natural features of the park. The Alton coal field is linked to the proposed Allen-Warner Valley energy system, which would involve the construction of two steam generating plants fueled by coal supplied by slurry line from the Alton mine. The mine would be lcoated 7 miles south of Bryce Canyon National Park. |